You’re invited inside the Shed

Matt Morris and Lefke Van Gogh - A Boat By The River project – Tarkine sails on

2020 offered us all the opportunity to rethink and redefine how we work and connect. No more so than in the area of public events. QED The Australian Woodenboat Festival, the Greatest celebration of Wooden Boats and Maritime Culture on the Planet*, welcomes you To attend
the 2021 MaritimE trail.

But change, they did. April 10 and 11, as part of the 2021 delivery, the innovation around the craft of boat building continues with a The Maritime Trail.

The Australian Wooden boat Festival Maritime Trail invites you to discover places you never knew existed. You’ll be given the rare opportunity to find the origin of wooden boats, speak with the great people who design and build these boats and try your hand at varnishing in a tucked away boat shed. We will have guided boatyard tours, sawmills, Tall Ship sailings, Palais Theatre at Franklin full of discussions, workshops and heaps more. 

With the full programme will be released MARCH 10, here’s an example of what you can expect to find.

WILSON’S BOAT YARD – WE ARE INVITING YOU ON AN ADVENTURE!

When you think of traditional and artisan craftsmen building and restoring timber boats, your mind should take you to the shores of Port Cygnet to Wilson’s Boat Yard. From the early 1800’s the Wilson’s have been a staple in the wooden boat world in the Huon Valley. Founded by John Wilson, the passion for wooden boats started in his backyard when he built Huon Belle and that passion continued on in the family, with four of his sons becoming shipwright’s too. John Wilson would often wander into the bush and hand select the right trees for the job, depending on the purpose of the build, whether it be for trade and carrying cargo, or for passengers. The Wilson’s soon became known around Tasmania for their quality workmanship and attention to detail.

Jay – iconic face from Wilson’s Boat Yard
Photo from Island Image

From design to entire builds, to restorations and refurbishments, many vessels we see at our festivals have gone through the doors of Wilson’s Boat Shed. With 3D modelling available, project management and faultless joinery, the team at Wilson’s pride themselves on marrying time-honoured traditional wooden boat building, with modern techniques in order to carry the trade into the future. Maori Lass, owned by our very own Dock Master Roscoe, was restored at Wilson’s, the lobster boat Neilma G was built at Wilson’s, and the incredible Varg was re-built at Wilson’s.

John Alexander, Terry Lean and crew are thrilled to be inviting you inside the shed during the Maritime Trail 2021. You will hear of John’s professional racing days, see Terry’s design maps, and speak with Jay, Tom and Todd about why they love working on wooden boats. Not only will you hear about the Wilson family and their significant influence on the wooden boat building industry, you will learn how the crew at Wilson’s Boat Yard are now working with both traditional and modern techniques to restore, rebuild and create beautiful vessels.

Do you have a story from Wilson’s Boat Yard? Did you own a boat that came back to life with a little help from the Wilson’s? Want to get lost in the Huon Pine at Wilson’s? Join us on the adventure on the 10th and 11th April 2021, The Australian Wooden Boat Festival’s Maritime Trail.

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*As judged by SWS. If you’re part of a Regatta or Event that you believe has the potential to vie for the title, of Greatest on the Planet, by all means get in touch and invite us along to see for ourselves. We are completely open to all forms of inducement ;)

EDITOR // Sal Balharrie